Have You Found Your Calling Yet?

You are a hero. I am a hero. We are all, every single one of us, on what Joseph Campbell calls “a hero’s journey.” We all have within us a Nelson Mandela or Joan of Arc or Luke Skywalker or Mother Teresa or Harry Potter. Like all of these classic heroes, we are all little sparks of divinity on a mission to step into our true nature and fulfill the Divine assignment our souls were sent here to earth in order to fulfill.

Who Will Save The World?

But if you’re like most of us, you may not realize yet what a hero you really are. In Finding Your Way In A Wild New World, Martha Beck describes us heroes as “wayfinders,” who possess a set of characteristics that distinguishes us. Most of us feel a sense of mission involving a major transformation in human experience, a strong sense that whatever that mission is, it’s getting closer in time, a compulsion to master certain skills in preparation for this half-understood personal mission, high levels of empathy, an urgent desire to lessen the suffering for humans, animals, and plants, and a loneliness stemming from a sense of difference, despite being generally social. According to Martha, other common characteristics that typify us include high levels of creativity, an intense love of animals, a difficult, often abusive or traumatic early life, an intense connection to the natural world, resistance to religion accompanied by a strong sense of the spiritual, high levels of emotional sensitivity accompanied by a predilection for anxiety, addiction, or eating disorders, a sense of connection with particular cultures, languages, or geographic regions, a brain-centered disability like dyslexia, retardation, or autism, a gregarious personality contrasting with the need for periods of solitude, a persistent or recurring physical illness, and a tendency to dream about healing others. Martha calls us superheroes “the Team,” and I can tell already that you are one of us.

The Dysfunction Of The “Ordinary World”

We only discover we are heroes when we get disillusioned enough with the dysfunction of our present circumstances. When we feel sad enough and lost enough and hopeless enough, something deep within us has the opportunity to emerge, something stronger and wiser than we may ever have known existed within us. We all have this heroic spark that never dies, even when we’re in our darkest moments. I call this part of you your “Inner Pilot Light,” which is your inner superhero. This spark within you is fueled by a pressing sense that there is adventure out there, that your life has purpose, that you’re on a quest you may not understand yet, that your small little existence on this very big planet could mean something, that there is more to life than the ordinary, dysfunctional world, and that perhaps all it takes is a cape and a mask and some really cool boots in order to save the world.

The Phone Rings

Right when you might start to question your inner superhero and feel tempted to lose hope that your little blip of existence in this great, big world could really make a world-changing difference, you’re likely to hear the phone ring. It usually rings very softly at first, perhaps so softly that, like your cell phone with the ringer off, you miss it altogether. But when you fail to pick up, the phone is likely to ring louder. Some Divine force turns the ringer on.

When this happens, this is your calling ringing you, just like that, with a loud BRRRRRIIIIIIING that you can’t help noticing. It’s your life’s purpose calling, complete with instructions not just for how you can change the world in your own precious way, but with the Prescription for how you can lead a wholly healthy life that will prepare you to fulfill this calling.

The Refusal Of The Call

Because heroes are inherently curious, you won’t be able to resist picking up the jangling phone, yet when you hear what you’re meant to do on your hero’s journey, if you’re like the rest of us, you’re likely to respond with a rousing, “HELL NO.” What you are being called to do is too scary. The dangers are too risky. The voices of your Gremlins are too loud. Your comfort zone is too secure. It would be so much easier to stay in the ordinary world, even though the ordinary world is so…well, ordinary. Fear wracks you. There are so many really, really good reasons to hang up the phone and refuse the call. Nobody would blame you. You’re only human. It would be natural to turn your back on something so terrifying.

So like all the other heroes who have ever walked a hero’s path, you refuse the call. It’s how we heroes play hard to get. Yet no matter how much you pretend you’re not available for that last minute Friday night date with destiny, I guarantee you that, when it’s your true calling, the call will keep pestering you. You can resist the call, but you don’t get to choose your calling. Your calling chooses you. And if you refuse to follow the instructions you are given- I hate to tell you this, but somebody must- you are certain to suffer.

When You Turn Your Back On Your Calling

When you turn your back on your calling, you won’t necessarily be plagued with snakes or bombs or daggers. Your suffering may not look like Armageddon. It may be much more subtle than that, something so insidious that it may just feel like life, only it’s not the technicolor life you hoped you’d live. Instead of being chased by villains or tormented by torture devices, your suffering may show up as the malaise that is endemic in our society. You may lose your mojo, and you won’t know why. You may feel tired, listless, low on energy, and bankrupt on joy. Your relationships may suffer, your sex life loses its passion, your professional life may unravel, or you may feel the creative frustration of a song within you that is yet unsung.

The Uni-verse will conspire to encourage you to heed the call, even if it means thwacking you upside the head with the proverbial two by four. When you ignore the call, you may get sick. Your relationships may fall apart. You might find yourself in financial ruin. You may experience a loss so painful you’ll think you won’t be able to keep living. But you will. Because you’re on a hero’s journey. And the hero must prevail.

You Finally Say Yes

However your calling shows up, you are likely to be humbled into submission until you finally, reluctantly, answer the call. The call simply won’t go away. You will finally surrender because The Uni-verse won’t give up on you. Never. Not when the stakes are this high. Not when there’s a world to make better because you are here on a mission.

Finally, you either muster up the moxy to rally to the task, picking up the phone with a smile, or you get so worn down by the incessant ringing that you pick up with a sigh and a roll of the eyes. Nobody’s going to give you an A for a cheerful attitude. The mission you’re on is pass/fail. Will you answer the call? Or will you not?

Because you are a hero, you will finally agree to your task. Because you must. And when The Uni-verse says, “I have a Divine assignment for you,” you will finally say, with a humble, trembling voice, “Okay Uni-verse. I’m in.”

Have You Found Your Calling?

Does this sound familiar? Have you picked up the phone and refused the call? Have you finally agreed to your mission? Or are you still waiting for the phone to ring?

The world is in crisis. Global warming is killing our planet. Our health care system, education system, and political systems are dismantling. We are at war with ourselves as a species, not just externally, but internally. The time to save the world is now.

Wow! great post Lissa. Thanks for reminding me that i am a hero. God Bless

StaciH

My life imploded alright, but had the funny thought after reading that I’m the crazy girlfriend waiting by the phone waiting for it to ring. Need to do something spontaneous today.

Kim

Thank you for your post. I have been so distanced from my purpose for so long that I have been feeling very lost and rudderless. Thank you for the encouragement and stating the need to answer the call that resides within.

June

Wow! Powerful, thought provoking post. Thank you!

Share’

I really LOVE this analogy of the calling for your mission and purpose! It’s very transformation and of great value to the journey that I’m experiencing at this time. Your message is more than helpful to all of US for a blissful and peaceful existence. Thank YOU for your wisdom!

Nell Desmond

When we ignore the call of vocation, chaos is created-in the mind, body, and soul. I had to learn this the hard way-but that was part of my journey. Your analogy is great and ‘rings’ so true. Thanks for the truth-and LOVE!

http://www.tracymcmicking.com/ Tracy McMicking

To hear the call and ignore it does cause pain. I know this first hand and experienced it the way I think most people do. By trying to live the life I believed would make others happy. Living by the societal definitions of success and chasing things and accomplishments instead of getting aligned within and opening my ears, eyes and heart to the call. Until it became so loud. It’s been a process to let go of what others think of me, of going against the status quo of the family especially. But truth be told I was always different and Martha’s description of the ‘wayfinders’ fits me to a T.

Now what I was scared of has become what excites me. What I used to brush aside as frivolous stuff that I would indulge in after I’d done something ‘important’ has been flipped on it’s head. It is the work of my soul, my divine relationship and being on the journey that matters. Not the degrees, or the acquisitions or the status that counts. It’s being on that journey that allows me to serve others. It is in the ‘examined life’ and the sharing of the trials, the tribulations and the awakenings and the expansion that I’ve experienced that I have met my calling full on and can truly help others as I was designed to do.

That is where freedom truly lives. Thanks Lissa!

Sharon H.

Love this.

Ken Bartram

I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THE CALL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY PURPOSE FOR THIS LIFE IS.

Buffy

Thaks Lissa! I’m a big fan of Martha Beck and I think I’m on the ‘team.’ In the last couple of years a bunch of surreal, crazy events have flipped my world on its head and put me on a completely different path. Which I assumed was this damn journey I’m meant to be on. But it feels more like getting ‘thwacked upside the head with a four by two’ – like, everyday. If you have any idea what I’m doing wrong here, please let me know! Much love xxx

Samuel

Terrific post! Oh how I can relate!

I Am Alive…

Life is one big mystery & this year was “HELL” to say the least. Guess what I transformed myself & my life from hell to heaven. Life is what we make of it. We are the master’s of our own destiny?!?! It took the death of multiple family members, the separation which I now see as a blessing in disguise of an ex-partner for she was nothing short of words I shall not even describe. The new spiritual me is loving life. Business opportunities are rampart, new “real authentic friends abundant, Yoga & meditation are my saviour..The list goes on & on. YOU…or I in this case make or break our future. Coming from the man that nearly ended his pain & torment many times earlier this year. Thankfully I am healthier mind body heart soul. Thank you The Daily Love. I read articles everyday. Part of my support & positivity network. Thank you.

Rosanne

Lissa Rankin. I just watched your whole program on PBS. You speak to me in ways I didn’t know were possible. I made a donation for your whole program because I can’t wait to get started towards living my purpose and my “true calling”.

Mantra

Hi Lissa, love this article! It’s very motivating and perfect timing for me. I’ve recently left my big wig corporate job to follow my calling. I don’t know exactly what my calling is yet, but I am following my bliss and waiting for THAT call. Your article is a good reminder to stay on track and be patient – the call will come. THANKS THANKS THANKS

Kelly

Wow that was great! Thank you for that inspiration!!

Anoushka

What a fantastic article (and talk about timing), thank you Lissa! I am of two minds if I’ve received ‘the call’ or not.. I suspect I may have, because the idea of following it petrifies me, something I’ve never felt before!! I feel like I have been waiting forever for my ‘calling’ and it’s caused me significant worry and stress, but perhaps patience is the key. Thank you once again for this powerful piece, I will be checking out Martha Beck’s book soon.